Horse-collar fastener.



No. 687,783. Patented Dec. 3, I90L D. BADCLIFF.

HORSE COLLAR FASTENER.

(Application filed May 9, 1901.)

(No Model.)

lhvrrn' ramps Arena rrrc DAVID RADCLIFF, OF MALTA, ILLINOIS.

HORSE-COLLAR FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 687,783, dated December 3, 1901.

- Application filed May 9,'1901. Serial No. 59,481. No model.)

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, DAVID RADOLIFF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Malta, in the county of Dekalb and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Horse-Collar Fastener, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a collar'fastener; and the object of the same is to provide a positively-operating device of this class having a simple construction and readily applied to a horse-collar in an adjustable manner to control the secnrement and release of the upper terminals thereof.

The invention consists in the construction and operation of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the improved device, showing in dotted lines the upper terminal portions of a collar in operative relation thereto. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective View of the improved device. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of a slightly-modified form of the fastener.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several Views. A

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the numerals 1 and 2 designate connecting members composing the fastener, each member being bifurcated, as at 3, to provide opposite arms 4, which are longitudinally slotted and formed with lower transversely-extending V-shaped ribs 5 to bear firmly against the collar and prevent slipping of the members. The inner end of the member 1 is overlapped by the similar end of the member 2, and at a distance from the edge of the said inner end of the member 1 are upstanding stop projections 6. The inner end of the member 2 is thickened and formed with a shoulder 7 to abut against the inner end edge of the member 1, as shown by Fig. 1, to form a flush joint of the members at the center of the under sides of the same. The inner end of the member 2 is of a transverse extent slightly less than the distance between the projections 6, so'jas to pass be tween the latter, and at opposite sides the inner end of the said member 2 is provided with half-sockets 8, which are open at their outer portions to fiushly receive the projections 6, as clearly shown. The inner end of the member 1 is also provided with a pair of upstanding studs 9, which are adapted to pass through corresponding openings 10 in the inner end of the member 2, and these studs, interlocking with the said openings 10, coacting with the shoulder 7, prevent the members from rising accidentally and becoming detached through the movement of the collarterminals to which the fastener is applied; but when the member 2 is manually raised from the member 1 to clear the studs of the latter the said members can be readily drawn apart. The arms 4 are adjustably attached to the collar-terminals by means of nutted bolts 11, which are passed through the collar, as indicated by Fig. 1, and to maintain the position of the members after adjustment the ribs heretofore explained are employed and sink into the upper surface of the collar-terminals. The form of the fastener shown by Fig. 3 is similar in all particulars to that just described, except that the studs 9 and openings 10 are omitted, and the parts or members are held connected by means of a bail 12, which is terminally pivoted to the projections 6 of the member 1 and is adapted to be thrown over the outer edges of the half-sockets 8 of the member 2, as clearly shown by Fig. 3.

By forming the projections 6 withinner vertically-straight edges, as shown, and the sockets 8 with vertical recesses to receive the said projections downwardzmovement of the two members when connected will be prevented, particularly when the parts become slightly worn, and simple auxiliary fastening means can be used and dispense with the usual interlocking hooks, which require atedious operation in assembling or disconnecting the same. By having the sockets closed at their inner sides and open at their outer portions lateral shifting movement of the two members is prevented, and this movement would be liable to take place if the socket were not constructed as set forth, particularly in the form of the device shown by Figs. 1 and 2, wherein the studs 9 loosely project through the openings 10, and by obviating such lateral movement the connected portions of the collar are held in positive immovable relation. By

forming the sockets in. the manner set forth a further advantage arises in overcoming any tendency for the projections to stick when separating the two members.

The improved device in either of its forms will be effective in securely holding collarterminals united, is strong and durable, and comparativelyinexpensive in the cost of manufacture.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a collar-fastener, a pair of members havinglongitudinally-extending bifurcations to provide opposite arms each of which is 1ongitudinally slotted, the inner end of one member having upstanding stop projections, one at each side, the other member having an overlapping inner extremity to lie between the said projections and provided with halfsockets with vertical recesses therein to re ceive said projections, the inner end of the member carrying the sockets also being provided with a shoulder to abut against the inner end of the adjacent member, and means for preventing the inner engaged ends of the members from becoming accidentally disconnected.

2. In a collar-fastener, the combination of two members having their inner ends constructed to overlap, the inner end of one member having upstanding projections, one at each side, the inner edge of each projection being vertically straight, the inner end of the other member having upwardly-extending half-sockets with vertical recesses therein to receive the said projections and also provided with a shoulder extending fully thereacross to abut against the inner edge of the member carrying the projections, and means for fastening the innerends of the members to prevent accidental disengagement of the same.

3. In a collar-fastener, the combination of two members having their inner ends constructed to overlap, the inner end of one member having upstanding projections, one at each side, the inner edge of each projection being vertically straight, the inner end ofthe other member having upwardly -extending half-sockets with vertical recesses therein to receive the said projections and also provided with a shoulder extending fully thereacross to abut against the inner edge of the member carrying the projections, and a pair of studs carried by the inner end of the member having the side projections to removably engage corresponding openings in the inner end of the member having the sockets.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own Ihave heretoafixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

DAVID RADCLIFF.

\Vitnesses:

E. WILLETT, D. OLAXTON. 

